Machine for making paper boxes.



No. 664,458. Patented Dec. 25, I900.

I C. H. BROOKS. MACHINE .FOR'MAKI NG PAPER BOXES (Applicntipn filed Nov.15, 1898.]

5 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

| l l I I J I I x l 4 I l I I llll n4: Nana's PETERS 00.. muvoumo.WASHINGTON. a c.

No. 664,458. Patented D60. 25, 1900.

c. u. BROOKS.

'MAGHINE FOR MAKING PAPER BO XES.

Ap lication filed Nov. 15, 1898.)

(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet z.

YHi Noam: wzrzns c0, PHOTO-LITHOU WASHINGTON, n. c,

-Patq nted Dec, 25, I900.

No. 664,458. I

' c. H; anooxs.

MACHINE FUR MAKING PAPER BOXES.

(Application filed Nov. 15, 1896.)

(No Model.)

7 5 SheetsShaet 3 4. M. m, lam /Z501? m WW m c. H. snooxs.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER BOXES. (Application filed Nov. 1 5, 1898.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented Dec. 25, I900.

m: Noam: Farms '50 PHOTO-LITHO, whsm wmu. n. c.

(Application filed Nov. 15, 1898.) (No llodul.) 5 ShBBtt-SITOBI 5.

Patentd 1m. 25, I900.

[EDIE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

CHARLES H. nooKs, or SYRAOUSIE,1\TEW YoBK, AssIGNoR To me MER ELL-so'uLCOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE."

SPECIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent 1%. 664,458, dated Q 5} 5Application filed November 15,1895. tlerialNo.ii96,509. emit To allwhom, it may concern.-

Be it known that LCHARLES H. BROOKS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York,have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making PaperBoxes, of which the following is a specifica tion.

This invention relates to a machine. which is more especially designedfor closing the.

bottoms of the four-sided paper or cardboard boxes or cartons which areused for putting up various kinds of merchandise-for instance, dry orcomparatively dry food preparations. posed of four flaps-two side flaps,which are folded down first, arear flap, which is folded against andpasted to the side flaps, and a The mechanisms which are embodied in myimproved machine are, briefly stated, the following: Anintermittently-moving endless feed-chain or traveling carrier isprovided with numerous four-sided holders, on each. of which a box orcarton blank is placed in. an inverted position by the operator as the.holders pass by the operator. In this position the four bottom flaps ofthe blank project upwardly from each holder and are in this positionpresented by the movement of the feed-chain to the paste-applyingmechanism, which latter applies the paste, gum, or mucilage to the rearand front flaps. The following movements of the feed-chain presenttheblank to the mechanisms by which the two side flaps are folded uponthe top of the holder, the gummed rear flap is folded down upon the sideflaps, and the gummed front flap is folded down upon the rear flap. Allof these operations take place on the upper portion of the horizontalfeed-chain from I which the four-sided blank-holders project upwardly,while they project downwardly from the lower portion of the chain. The

In these boxes the bottom is com-.

Fig. 1.

dry the boxes are presented to an ejecting mechanism, by which each boxis removed fromits holder. The tops of these boxes or cartons are alsoeach composed of four flaps; but theseremain open until the box has beenfilled and are usually so constructed that they must be closed by hand.When the top flaps are also so constructed that they can be secured bypasting, the herein-described mechanisms for applying the paste andfolding the flaps can be used for performing these operations in closingthe boxes after they have been filled. Inthat case'a second machine isprovided which has the holders on the feed-chain constructed to receivethe filled boxes, with the top flaps projecting upwardly therefrom, thegumrning or pasting mechanism and the folding mechanism beingconstructed and arranged to operate as in the first-mentioned machine.

This invention is therefore not limited to 1 devices for closing thebottom flaps of boxblanks, but embraces also devices for closing similartop flaps of filled boxes.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of five sheets, Figure 1 is aside elevation of my improved machine. Fig. 2 isa top plan view thereof.Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, inline Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary section showing a subsequentposition of the same parts. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section ,onan enlarged scale,through the gu m ming mechanism in line 5 5, Fig. 1.Fig. 6 is a similar fragmentary section showing a subsequent position ofthe same parts. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation showing thebearing of the upper gummiug-roller. Fig. 8 is a transverse verticalsection, on an enlarged scale, of the folding mechanism inline.

8 8, Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a similar section showing a subsequent positionof the parts. Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical section through themechanism which completes the folding, on an enlarged scale, in line 1010, Fig. 1. Fig.

11 is a transverse vertical section, on' an enlarged scale, through thedriving-wheel of the 12 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale,

, of one of the blank holders or carriers, showwhich the front flap isfolded down.

ing the movable folding and clamping jaw of the holder closed againstthe same. Fig. 13 is a detached bottom plan view, on an enlarged scale,of the pivoted folding-fingers by which the side flaps of the bottom arefolded down, the sliding folding-bar by whichthe rear flap is foldeddown, and the blade on the folding andclamping jaw of the holder by Fig.14.- is a similar view showing the same parts ina subsequent position.Fig. 15 is a fragmentary longitudinal section,on an enlarged scale,

of the ejector mechanism in line 15 15, Fig. 2. Fig. 16 is a horizontallongitudinal section in line 16 16, Fig.,15. Fig. 17 is atransverse'sectioninline 17l7,,Fig..15. Fig. 18 is a perspective View ofoneof the gripping-jaws of the ejecton; Figsr'l9, 20, and 21 are perspective views of one of the boxes or cartons inverted, showing the bottomflaps in diiferent positions. Fig. 22 isa perspective view'of a filledbox having top flaps to be closed by pasting. Fig. 23 is a verticalsection of one of the holders suitable for holding such a filled box inpresenting the same to the gumming and folding mechanisms. Fig. 24 is acrosssection in line 2424:, Fig. 23, but showing the folding-jaw closed.

Like characters of reference refer to likeparts in the several figures.

The main frame of the machine consists, essentially, of a longitudinalbed A, provided near each end with a pair of supporting-legs a and alateral extension A on its rear side.

The feed-chain, belt, or traveling carrier 8 passes around polyonalsupporting-wheels b b, arranged at opposite ends of the bed, and itsupper horizontal portion runs over a horizontal guide or rail b arrangedlengthwise on top of the bed, while its lower horizontal portion runsover a horizontal guide or rail b arranged lengthwise below the bed andsupported from the latter by hangers b, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and11. supporting-wheels is mounted on a transverse shaft b which'isjournaled in-bearings on the under side of the bed. An intermittentforward movement is imparted to the feed-chain by a ratchet mechanismconsisting of a pawlarm 0, hung loosely on the shaft of the rearchain-wheel b, and a pawl a, sliding transversely in the pawl-arm andheld yieldingly in the path of the ratchet-teeth c on the side of thewheel b by a spring as shown in Figs. 1 andll. The pawl-arm isoscillated by a pitman 0 connected at one end to said arm and at itsopposite end to a crank 0, ar-

ranged on the front end of a counter-shaft 0 The latter is jonrnaled inbearings on the main frame and is driven at a reduced speed from themain driving-shaft c by a pinion 0 arranged on the main shaft andmeshing with a gear-wheel c on the counter-shaft, as shown in Fig. 2.The main shaft is journaled in Each of the bearings onthe main frame andis-coupled with or uncoupled from a driving-pulley 0 mounted thereon, bya clutch 0 Each of the chain-linksis provided with a car Tier or holderD, suitable for receiving a boxblank in an inverted position -that is,with the bottom flaps at the outer end of the holder. Each holderconsists of an open four-sided frame having the form and size of thebody of the box' or carton blank and a flat top or outer end 01, againstwhich the bottom flaps of the box are folded. The lower end of theholder is provided with a base or enlargement forming a shoulder 01,with which the ends of the cover-'flapsof the box engage and which limitthe downward movement of the box on the holder, so as to cause thebottom flaps to project upwardly beyond the upper flat end d of theholder, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 8. Theholders maybe secured to thelinks in any suitable way, the meansshown in the :d'rawings'consistingof depending lips or flanges d arranged on the base of the holders andsecured to the innerside'of the links by screws.

, Each blank-holder is provided on its front side with a folding-jaw E,which is pivoted at its lower or'innerend to the base of the holder andcarriesvat its upper end a rearwardly-projecting folding-blade e, bywhich the front flap of the box is folded down. This folding-jaw isprovided on opposite sides of its outer end with spring clasps orfingers e, which when the jaw is closed, against the holder engageagainst opposite sides of the blank-body carried by the holder, as shownin Figs. 11 and 12, and by frictional resistance prevent the jaw fromswinging open. The opening movement of the jaw is limited by shoulders eformed thereon adjacent'to its pivot and adapted to engage with the baseof the holder, as shown in Figs. 5, 6', and 8.

The box-blanks are placed upon the holders by the operator, while theholders pass along the front or receiving end of the bed with the fourbottom flaps standing up straight, as shown in Figs. 1, 2,'and 19. Eachblank is then advanced to and stands still at the pasting or gu miningmechanism, whereby paste or gum is applied to the front and rear liaps,and which is constructed as follows:

F represents a trough or receptacle containing the supply of paste orgum for gumtning the bottom flaps and which is arranged on the frontside of the machine and in front of the upper line of holders by abracket f,

main shaft 0 by intermeshing bevel gear- ITO wheels f f, secured,respectively, to the front end of the main shaft, and a short shaftfjournaled in a bearing in the adjacent leg of the frame, and a belt fpassing around pulleys f f mounted on the shaft f and the shaft of thepaste-supply roller, respectively, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5. Thesupply roller is journaled in stationary bearings on the bracket f. Inorder to per mit of varying the amount of paste which thedelivery-roller receives from the supplyroller, the delivery-roller ismade adjustable toward and from the supply-roller. For this purpose eachend of the shaft of the delivcry-roller is journaled in a bearingf,which is adjustable vertically in a wayf arranged on the bracketf, bymeans of a springf engaging with the underside and a set-screw bottomflaps of the box-blank. 5

forth andup and down above the blank. The

body, with its bot-tom and cover flaps, is most clearly shown in Figs.19, 20, and 21, in which 1 represents the four-sided body of the blank,and 2 the cover-flaps, whichproject downwardly, as the blank is shown inthe inverted position in which it is operated upon by the machine. Thefour bottom flaps are the only flaps which are operated upon by themachine, and consist of two narrow opposing flaps 3, which are first.folded down .and which fold in the longitudinal direction of thefeed-chain, and two wider opposing flaps 4 and 5, which fold crosswiseof the feed-chain. The first-mentioned flaps 3 are first folded down andare called the side flaps. The flap 4.-,which stands farthest from thepaste-receptacle, is next folded down and is called the-rear flap, andthe flap .5, which stands nearest the paste-receptacle, is last foldeddown and is called the front flap.

The movement of the brush is as follows: In the foremost position of thepaste-brush the same rests upon or sufficiently close to the upper sideof the paste-delivery roller to take paste therefrom, as shown by dottedlines in Fig. 5. During the first portion of the backward movement ofthe brush the same rises, so as to pass over the front flap 5, which atthis time stands in rear of the pasterollers and vertically in line withthe brush. When the brush has passed over the front flap, as shown infull lines, Fig. 5, and before it reaches the rear flap, as shown inFig. 6, it drops to a point below the upper ends of said flaps, as shownin full lines in Fig. 6. The

brush now completes its backward movement in this lowered position to apoint in rear of the rear flap. (Shown in dotted lines in Fig.

6.) During this movement thebrush applies paste to the front side of therear flap along its edge. During the first portion of the subsequentforward movement the brush moves forward in this lowered position to apoint in front of the front flap, whereby the brush applies pastesuccessively to the rearside of the rear flap,which is the top side ofthat flap when folded down, and to the rear side of the front flap,which is the under side of that flap when folded down. The last portionof the forward movement of the brush carries the same again to thepaste-delivery roller. By these movements the brush applies paste toboth sides of the rear flap and the rear side of the front flap near theedges thereof. The mechanism whereby this movement is imparted to thebrush is arranged in rear of the feed-chain and the blank-holders and isconstructed as follows:

H represents an upright rock-lever whereby the paste-brnsh is moved backand forth and which is pivoted on the rear portion of the main frame.This lever has its upper arm pivotallysconnected to the rear end of thebar supporting the brush and is actuated by a grooved cam 77., mountedon the coun-.

ter-shaft and engaging with the lowerarm of the rock-lever, as shown inFigs. 2, 5, and 8. t I represents a slotted shifting baror guide wherebythe paste-brush is raised and lowered. This guide is pivoted on itsupperside near its front end by a horizontal pivot 11 to a standard t"on the bed, so that the guide swings in a vertical plane transversely tothe movement of the feed-chain. The brush-bar is provided near. itsmiddle with a depending lug t engaging by a roller 1' in the slot of theguide.

J represents a reciprocating or sliding cam which is arranged lengthwisebelow the shifting-guide and is provided on its upper side with asalient portion j and a horizontal receding portion j, with which adepending bearing-lug i on the rear portion of theguide is adaptedtoengage alternately. This cam is guided by bolts j passing throughhorizontal slots 7' in the cam and secured to a bracket 7' on the mainframe or in any other suitable way. The guide is yieldingly presseddownward with its bearing-lug against thecam J by a spring 3' connectingthe guide with the bracket 9 The real-portion of the guide is steadiedin its vertical movement by.

a pin 7' arranged on the guide and engaging in a curved slot 7' in thebracket 9' It represents a link or slotted rod pivoted atits rear end tothe upper arm of the rocklever H and engaging by its slot with a pin k"on the rear end of the sliding cams J.

During the first portion of the backward movement of the brush thesalient portion of 'the sliding cam stands underneath the lug of IIO torise and to be lifted over the front flap of the blank. During this.movement of'the brush the link '70 travels idly backward along the pin kof the cam, while the rock-lever H is moving the brush-supporting barback; wardly. When the brush hasreached the position above the spacebetween the front and rear flaps, as indicated by full lines in Fig. 5,the front ,end of the slot in the linklc engages with the pin 10 andcauses the oath to move rearwardly with the rock-lever,thereby movingthe salient portion of the cam rear-' ward'ly from underneath the lug ofthe guide and permitting the guide to drop with its bearing-lug 2 nponthe horizontal portion of f the sliding cam, thus causing the brush todrop between the front and rear flaps. In

this lowered position of-the shifting guideits substantially horizontaldirection. this movement the brush applies paste to the front side ofthe rear flap. During the first 5 portion of the subsequent forwardstroke of I the rock-lever the shifting link It slides forwardly idlyand does not move the cam. This causes the shifting guide,supporting-bar, and brush to remain in their lowered position until thebrush has moved and applied paste to the rear sidesof the rear and frontflaps successively. After the brush has passed by the front flap therear end of the slot in the link strikes the pin of the cam and shiftsthe same forwardly, thereby raising the rear end of the slotted guide,so that its-slot stands in an inclined position preparatory to the nextfollowing backward movement of the brush. In order to prevent the rearflap from being displaced rearwardly when the pastebrush applies thepaste to the front side thereof, abacking or retaining finger Z isprovided which supports the rear side of the rear flap, as shownin Figs.1, 5, and 6. This supporting-finger is curved rearwardly at its frontend, so as to direct the rear flaps of the blanks in front of the sameas the blanks move rearwardly with the feed-chain. This finger issecured to the adjacent stationary part of the machine, as shown in-Figs. 1 and 2. After the front and rear flaps of the blank have beengummed the blank is advanced one space by the propelling mechanism andpresented to the folding mechanism, where the blank stands still untilits flaps have been folded down upon the holder. This folding mechanismis arranged adjacent to the feedchain and holders and at a distance inrear of the gumming mechanism equal to this distance between twoblank-holders and is con- 'structed as follows:

M, Figs. 2, 8,9, 13, and 14, represents a longitudinally-reciprocatinghorizontal foldingbar, which is arranged transversely in rear of therear flap of the blank when the latter is in line with the foldingmechanism and which is provided with a tapered front end or edgeadaptedto engage with the rear side 'of the rear flap. This bar isguided in horizontal ways m, arranged in the upper part of a stan'dardmon the main frame, and is reciprocatedlby an upright rock-lever mpivoted on said standard and having its upper arm engaging with thefolding-bar, w-hi le its lower arm engages with a cam m on the*countershaft, as show-n in Fig. 8. N N represent two horizontalfolding-fingers whereby-the side flaps of the bottom are folded downupon the holder. Each of these fingers is pivoted with its rear end tothe guideway m on one 'sid'eof the folding-bar and extends across theunder side ofthe bar to the opposite side thereof. The twofolding-fingers 'are'fitted to cross each other, and their front endsare curved or I hook-shaped and point'toward each other, as slot standshorizontally, which causes the; brush-carrying bar and brush during there- 1, guide-fingers is provided with a cam-slot n, maindeiof thebackward stroke to move in a I During L shown in Figs. 2, 13, and '14.Each of these which receives a pin non the under side of thefolding-bar. Then the folding-bar and the folding-fingers are movedrearwardly or retracted to their fullest extent, they clear the path ofblanks, as represented in Fig. 13. The cam-slots in the'folding-fingersare so for-med that upon moving the folding-bar forwardly the firstpart'of this movement causes the fingers to swing forwardly and towardeach other, whereby these fingers are engaged against the outer sides'ofthe side flaps 3 of thebottom and fold the same down upon the top of theholde'r,as shown in Fig. 20. During the last portion of the forwardmovement of the folding-bar the latter engages against the rear side ofthe rear flap 4 and loosely wardly or toward the holder, so that itsblade e engages against the front flap and loosely folds the same downupon the side and rear flaps, as represented in Figs. 9and20. This IIOmovement of the folding-jaw is effected by a horizontal shifting rod 0,which slidestransversely in a guide in the lower portion of the bed andwhich is connected at its rear end with the lower arm of therock-lever'mfi, while its front end is provided with anupwardlyprojecting arm or finger 0, which engages with the front side ofthe folding-jaw. The movement of the several members of the foldingmechanism is so timed that the side flaps are first folded down upon theholder, as shown in Fig. 20, after which the rear flap is foldedlooselyldown upon the side flaps, and then the front flap is foldedloosely down upon the side and rear flaps. After the flaps have been sofolded the movement of the rocklever m is reversed, whereby thefolding-fingers and bar are withdrawn rearwardly from the blank and thefinger 0 is disengaged from the folding-jaw of the holder. In order toprevent the folding-jaw of the holder from moving backward or away fromthe holder and so cause the unfolding of the front flap when theshifting finger 0 leaves the foldingjaw, a detent device is providedwhich holds the folding-jaw in its partially-closed position and whichis constructed as follows:

P represents acatch which is arranged in front of the holders andcapable of movement in the longitudinal direction of the feed-chain.This catch is provided at its front end with a transverse shoulder 19,which stands in the path of the folding-jaw of the holder as the lattermoves from the gumming to the folding mechanism. The catch slideshorizontally in a guide 19', formed on a standard 19 rising fromthefront part of the bed. The catch is yieldingly held in its foremostposition (shown in Fig. 4) by a spring 10 which connects the front endof the catch with an adjacent stationary part of themachine. As theblankholder moves from the gumming to the folding mechanism itsfolding-jaw engages with the shoulder p of the catch P and moves thelatter in the direction in which the holder moves to the position shownin Fig. 3, thereby straining the spring p When the folding-jaw ismoved-toward the holderfor partially folding the front flap, the catchis movedinfrontofthefolding-jawbythespring 19 as shown in Fig. 4,thereby preventing the jaw from opening upon the withdrawal of theshifting finger 0.

After the flaps of the blank have been loosely folded down upon theholder the same is advanced another step and the rear portion of theblank is carried underneath a presserroller Q, which presses down uponthe rear flap and straightens the same out, so that it lies flat uponthe side flaps and extends as far as possible under the front flap, asshown in Figs. 1, 2, and 10. This roller is piyoted on theupper end of avertical supporting-bar g, which has a limited vertical movement on astandard q, risingfrom the rear portion of the bed, by means of bolts gsecured to the bar and passing through vertical slots Q in the standard.In the normal position of the roller the bolts of the bar restupon thelower ends of the slots inthe-standard, in which position the lowermostpart of the roller is below the top of the blank. As the blank isadvanced from the preliminary-foldingmechanism and passes with its rearflap under the presser-roller the latter is lifted, so that its weightexerts a pressure upon the rear flap for flattening the same. As theblank passes from underneath the roller the latter again drops. Thepresser-roller is preferably provid ed with an annular flange g on itsrear side, which engages against the rear side of the blank and compelsthe rear flap to straighten out forwardly and produces a square rearcorner on the box. As the blank passes from thepreliminary-foldingmechanism to the presser-roller the folding-jaw of its holder leaves thecatch P and passes along the rear edge of a horizontal retaining-guide gwhich is formed lengthwise on the standard 19 in front of the holder andretains the. foldingjaw E in'its partially-closed position, as shown inFig. 3. As the holder carrying the blank advances from thepresser-roller the foldingjaw of the holder engages with a cam g, whichsupporting its rear end by a spring g which rises from the front part ofthe bed. When the folding of the gummed flaps is thus completed, therear flap is secured to the side flaps by one. line of gum or paste andto the front flap by two lines of paste. The folding-jaw of each holderis firmly held in its closed position by its clamping-fingers, whichspring over and press the opposite sides of the blank against theholder, as shown in Fig. 12, so thatthe flaps are securely held downwhile they are drying. After the bottom flaps of the blank have been sogummed and folded each tion of the feed-chain, and finally upwardlyaround the front supporting wheel. The feed-chain is made so long thatthe pasted flaps become thoroughly dry and set before the boxes reachthe front end of the machine, at which they are removed from theholders. The ejecting mechanism, by which each box is removed from itsholder, is arranged adjacent to the front supporting-wheel and isconstructed as follows:

R represents acam whereby each foldingjaw is opened or swung away fromthe box on its holder preparatory to removing the box from the holder.This cam is arranged adjacent to the front side of the frontsupportingwheel and supported by an arm r, projecting from theadjacentfront part of the bed. Each of the holders is provided on itsupper or outer end with a stud or projection r, which engages with theopening-cam as the holder passes upwardly around the frontsupporting-wheel, and the jaw is thereby swung forwardly, so as torelease the box on the holder, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

S represents an ejector-carriage arranged in rear of the path of theblank-holders and adjacent to the front supporting-wheel. This 1carriage is guided on a supporting-bars,which projects from the rearpart of the bed and has a reciprocating movement parallel with thebox-holder from which the box is to be removed. The carriage is actuatedby a rocklever s, with which it is connected by a connecting-rod Thislever is pivoted at its upper end to the rear portion of the bed and isactuated by a cam 5 having a cam-groove1 which engages with a roller orpin 3 on the rock-lever. front'end of a cam-shaft s journaled in bearings on the rear portion of the main frame,

This shaft is driven from. the counter-shaft c by a chain belt 3 passingaround sprocketwheels s sflmounted, respectively, on the counter-shaftand the cam-shaft, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 8.

T T represent two grippers or jaws which are arranged one above theother and which are adaptedto grasp opposite sides ofthe box.

on theholder and remove the same therefrom.

The'gripping-face of each jaw consists, preferably, of a rectangularbody or plate t, having on its four sidesoutwardly-p'rojecting toothedflanges i, preferably formedoujt of 1 one piece of sheet metal.

gripper-arms are guided on the front partof the ejector-carriage by aguide-plate t se-.

cured to the front part of the ejector-carriage and provided withtransverse guide-slots t inwhichthe gripper-ar'msare arranged. The

. thereon independent of the carriage and par 5 allel with the line ofmovement of the same.

of the ejector-carriage.

spread position, as shown in Fig. 15.

gripper-jaws are constantly pressed toward each other by springs t 25which'bearwith their front ends against the front endsof'thegripper-arms and are secured withth'eir rear ends to a bracket tarranged on the rear side V represents a cam-plate whereby the ejectorjaw's are opened and closed The camplate is mounted on theejector-carriage and is capable of a limited longitudinal movement Forthis purpose. the cam-plate is arranged between the front side of theejector-carriage and the jaw guideeplate t and is provided with alongitudinal slot u, which receives a rectangular boss u on the frontside of the carriage, as shown in Figs. 15, '16, and 17. The" cam-plateis provided on its upper and lowersides with projections v. havinginclines u on their inner sides which engage 55.

with the'inner sides of the gripper-carrying arms. Upon moving thecarriage outwardly with referenceto the cam-plate the inclines thereofengage with the gripper-arms and spread the same until the top or flatouter sides of the cam-plate projections engage with the gripper-arms,in which position of the cam-plate the gripper-arms are retained in a IUpon moving the carriage inwardly-with reference to the cam-plate theprojections of the same The cam s is mounted on'the ,the holder.

are moved from underneath the gripper-arms and the latter are movedtoward each other by the springs t r VV' represent inner and outer stopswhereby the cam-plate is shifted with reference to the ejector-carriagefor moving the grippers toward and from each other and which are 'mentof the. feed-chain a holder carrying a box stands still in line with theejector-carriage. The latter isnow moved inwardly by the cam 5wherebyits jaws in a spread position are carried above and below the boxin During the last portion of the inwardmovement of the carriage thecamplate strikes the inner stop V and is arrested thereby. This causesthe carriage, which now moves forward independently. of the camplate tothe end of its inward stroke, to move its gripper-arms from the top ofthe'camprojections inwardly. This causes the springs to press thegripper-arms toward each other and engage the grippers-against the upperand lower sides of the box on the holder;

The ejector-carriage now moves outwardly, with its jaws grasping thebox, whereby the latter is stripped from the holder. Duringplate movingtherewith strikes the outerstop V, whereby the outward movement of thecam-plate is arrested. The ejector-carriage continues to move outwardlyto the end of its outward stroke independentlyof the camplate,whichcauses its jaw-arms to move alon g the inclines of the cam-plate to thetop thereof, therebyspreading the jaws and disengaging the same from thebox after the latter has been removed from the holder. The outer stop isrigidly secured to theguide-arm, upon which the ejector-carriage slides.

In starting the machineit is desirable that the gripper-jaws should beheld open until the holder which carries the first box has reached theejector in order to avoid wearing the sides of the holdersby thescraping of the grippers along the saimenvhich would occur if thegrippers closed against the holders before they carry any boxes. Forthis purpose the inner stop V is removably supported in aloop 1,arranged on the adjacent part of the bed. Upon removing this stop thecamplate encounters no obstruction at the end of its inward movement,but moves inwardly with the ejector-carriage to the end of the stroke,which causes thecam-plate to retain the gripper-arms open and soprevents them from grasping the empty holder during thesubseqnenfioutward stroke of the carriage;

When the first holder carrying a box arrives between the gripperslaterally with reference to the movement of the ejector-carriage. The

ejector-finger is yieldingly held in its rear wardor retracted positionby a spring w, bearing with its ends against the front side of theejector-finger, and an adjusting screwnut to, arranged upon a rod U72,which is connected with the guide-bar.

w is a camface or incline formed on the outer side of the guide-plateand adapted to engage with a similar cam face or incline 10 011 theejector-finger. During the inward movement of the ejector-carriage andconnectin g parts the ejector-finger is moved rearwardly by the spring w,'so as to clear the path of the box, as shown by dotted lines in Fig.16. During the last portion of the subsequent outward movement of thecarriage the grippers remove the box from the holder and carry it infront of the ejector-finger.

' the finger laterally and forwardly into the position shown infulllines in Fig. 16, whereby the box, which at this time has been releasedfrom the grippers, is ejected forwardly from between the grippers,thereby clearing the latter preparatory to the next inward move- Whenthe machine is fully in operation,the gum ming, folding,and ejectingmechanisms each operates upon a separate box after each intermittentforward movement of the feed-chain and holders, so that the severaloperations are performed simultaneously on different boxes.

When the top flaps of the boxes are also so constructed that they can beclosed by pasting, a similar machine is used for closing the tops of theboxes after they are filled. A box constructed in that manner is shownin Fig. 22, in which 3' represents the side 'flaps of the top, 4: therear flap, and 5 the front flap, which flaps are like the correspondingbottom flaps. In the machine designed for closing such boxes after theyare filled the holders X, Figs. 23 and 24, are hollow four-sided receptacles of the proper size to receive the filled box and hold it ratherloosely, with the top flaps projecting upwardly in the same manner inwhich the bottom flaps project from the holders of the first-describedmachine. In all other respects the machine is in its generalorganization and in the construction of the gumming and foldingmechanism the same as the first-described machine. The spring-clasps eof the folding-jaw E engage in the machine for closing the tops againstthe sides of the box-holders instead of against the sides of thebox-blah ks and so hold the jaw from swinging open until released by thecam R. This cam is in this top-closing machine arranged lower down thanit is shown in Fig. 1, so that the folding-jaw E is released when theholder is still fully in its inverted position on the under side of thepolygonal Wheel 19. When the jaw is swung away in that position ofv theholder, the box is released and drops out ofthe holder by its ownweight, an additional ejecting device being usually not required.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination with the feed mechan- ,ismprovided with holders for carrying the boxes orblanks and presenting thesame to the pasting and folding mechanisms, of a pasting mechanismwhereby paste is applied to projecting flaps of the boxor blank, astationary folding mechanism arranged beyond the paste mechanism in thedirection in which the feed mechanism moves and containing folderswhereby the side flaps and the rear flap are folded down, and travelingfinal folders whereby the final flaps are folded down, one of whichfolders is arranged with each blank-holder and travels with the same,

substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the feed mechaniism provided with holders forcarrying the boxes or blanks and presenting the same to the pasting andfolding mechanisms, of a pasting mechanism whereby the paste is appliedto the projecting flaps of the box or blank, a stationary foldingmechanism containing fingers for folding the side flaps down, a slidingfolder for folding the rear flap upon the side flaps, mechanism wherebysaid folder is actuated after said fingers have been actuated, travelingfolders for folding the final flap down, one of which folders isarranged with each blank-holder and travels with the same, and mechanismwhereby each traveling folder is swung against the final flap after therear flap has been folded down and before such flap is released by itsfolder, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with projectingholders for carrying the boxes or blanks and presenting the same to thepasting and folding mechanisms, of a paste mechanism which applies thepaste to projecting flaps of the box or blank, a stationary foldingmechanism arranged beyond the paste mechanism in the direction in whichthe feed mechanism moves and on one side of'the path of the feedmechanism and its holders, such folding mechanism containing folderswhereby the side flaps and the rear flap are folded down, and travelingfolding jaws arranged on the opposite side of said holders, pivoted attheir lower ends-to swing toward and from the holders and provided attheir free upper ends with folding blades adapted to project across theholders, substantially as set forth.

- 4. The combination with a traveling holder adapted to carry abox-blank or box, of a fold ing-jaw pivoted at its lower end to the baseof the-holder to swing toward and from the sameand'provided at its upperend with a folding-blade which projects across the top of the holderwhen'the jaw is closed against the holder, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the feed mechanism provided witha holder adaptedto carry a boxblank or box, of a folding-jaw pivoted at its lower end tothe base of the holder and providedat it's free. end with afolding-blade and at its sides with clamping-fingers adapted to bearagainst opposite sides of the blank or box on the holder, substantiallyas set forth.

6. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with holders adaptedto carry the box-blanks or boxes with the end flaps projecting therefromand the paste-supply devices, of a reciprocating paste wiper or brush,and guide devices whereby said wiper or brush is raised while movingfrom the paste-supply devices to clear the front flap and lowered beforereaching the rear flap to apply the paste first to the latter,substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the-feed mechanism provided with holders forcarrying the box-blanks or boxes with their end flaps projectingtherefrom, of a reciprocating paste wiper or brush traveling toward andfrom the paste-supply devices and across the path: of.

said holders, and guide devices whereby the wiper or brush is raisedwhile moving from the paste-supply devices to clear the front flap andlowered before reaching the rear flap, to apply the past-e first to thefront side of the latter, and is moved in its lowered position towardthe paste-receptacle to apply the paste next to the rear side of therear flap and then to the rear side of the front flap, substantially asset forth.

8. The combination with the paste-supply devices, of a wiper or brush,means whereby the same is moved toward and from the pastesupply devices,a slotted shifting guide whereby. said wiper or brush is first raisedand then lowered while moving from the paste-supply devices, and a camwhereby said guide'is.

shifted, substantially as set forth.

9...The combination with paste-supply devices, of a supporting-barprovided with a paste'wiper or'brush, a rock-lever which is connectedwith the supporting-bar and where- .by the wiper or brush is movedtoward and from the. paste supply devices, a shifting guide pivoted nearits front end and provided with a slotwhich receives a projection onsaid supporting-bar, asliding cam engagingwith the rear. portion of saidguide, and a link loosely connecting the cam with said rock-lever,substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with the paste-supply devices, the feed mechanismprovided with holders for carrying the box-blanks or boxes, and a pasteWiper or brush traveling toward ee4,45s

, actuating the same, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with the intermittently-moving feed mechanismprovided with holders adapted to carry the box-blanks or boxes, ofhorizontal. pivoted folding-fingers for folding the side flaps, areciprocating folding-bar for folding the rear flap, which bar isconnected with said fingers and operates the same, folding-jaws mountedon the feed mechanism and moving therewith, and an'actuatingfingerwhereby the folding-jaw of the holder which is in line with the foldingmechanism is closed against the holder for folding the front flap,substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with the intermittently-moving feed mechanismprovided with holders adapted to carry the box-blanks or boxes, ofhorizontal pivoted fingers which fold the side flaps and are providedwith cam-slots, a reciprocating folding-bar which folds the rear flapand which is provided with pins en- I gaging in the slots in the fingersfor actuating the same, folding-jaws mounted on the feed mechanism andadapted to fold the front flaps, an actuating-finger adapted to engagethejaw which is in line with the folding mechanism, and a rock-leverconnected with said folding-bar and actuatingfinger, substantially asset forth.

14. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holderadapted to carry a box blank or box and having a movable folding-jaw, ofa catch arranged in the path of the movement of said jaw and movable inthe direction in which said jaw moves with the feed mechanism, and anactuating device whereby said jaw is moved toward the holder andreleased-from said catch, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with aholderadapted to carry a box-blank or box and having a movablefolding-jaw, of a catch arranged in the path of the movement of said jawand movable in the direction in which said jaw moves with the feedmechanism, and an actuating device whereby said jaw is noved toward theholder and released from said catch, and a spring whereby the catch isreturned after said jaw has been released therefrom, substantially asset forth.

' 16. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with holders forcarrying the ed down upon the rear flap, a pressure device which bearsupon the rear flap after the;

same has been folded down and which clears the front flap, and meanswhereby the finall folder is tightened upon the final flap after{ therear flap has been acted upon by said ism provided with a holder adaptedto carry 17. The combination with thefeed mechan 3 pressure device,substantially as set forth.

ism provided with holders for carrying the boxes or blanks andpresenting the same to the pasting and folding mechanisms, of a past-=ing mechanism whereby paste is applied to projecting flaps of the boxor blank, folding devices whereby the side flaps and the rear rflap aresuccessively folded down, traveling; ifinal folders which move with theholders and f \whereby each .final flap is folded down .upon the rearflap,.a pressure device which bears uponthereariflap after the same hasbeen j ifolded down, and meanswhereby eachfinal ifolderiis tightenedupon the final flap after the rear flap has been acted upon by saidpressure device, substantially as set forth.

.18. The combination with thefeed mechaniism provided with holders forcarrying the iboxesor blanks .and presenting the same to the pasting andfolding mechanisms, of a pasting mechanism whereby paste is applied toprojecting flaps of the box or blank, a stationary folding mechanismarranged beyond \the paste mechanism in the direction in which the feedmechanism moves and containing folders whereby the side flaps and therear flap are successively folded down, traveling .final folders whichmove with the feed mechanism and holders and whereby each final iflap isfolded down upon the rear flap, and a pressure .device which is arrangedbeyond said folding mechanism and which bears upon the rear flapafterthe box or blank has passed beyond said folding mechanism,substantially as set forth.

19. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with holdersadapted to carry .the box-blanks or boxes, of folding devices wherebythe side flaps and the rear flap are successively folded down, a folderwhereby rthe frontfiap is folded down upon the rear lflap, and a flangedpressure -.rol1er which bears upon the rear flap after the same has beenfolded down, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holderadapted to carry a box-blank or box, of folding devices whereby the sideflaps and the rear flap are successively folded down, a folding-jawconnected with said holder for folding down the front flap, an actuatingdevice whereby said jaw is closed, a pressure device bearing upon therear flap after the same has been folded down, and a final folding-camwherebysaid jaw is tightly closed down after the rear flap has beenpressed down bysaid pressure de- I vice, substantially as set forth.

21. The combination with thefeed mechanism provided with a holderadapted to carry a box-blank or box, of a folding-jaw pivoted at itslower end to the base of the holder and provided at its free end with afolding-blade,

and a releasing-cam which swings the free end of the jaw away from theholder, substantially as set forth.

22. The combination with thefeed mechan a box-blank or box, of afolding-jaw pivoted at its lower end to the base of the holder andprovided at its free end with a folding-blade and at its sides withyielding clamping-fin gers adapted to bear against the sides of theblank or box on the holder, and a releasingcam against which said jawengages for withdrawing the free end of the jaw from the holderpreparatory to removing the box from the holder, substantially as setforth.

23. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder uponwhich the box is carried, of a reciprocating ejector nov;

able toward and from the holder and having gripping-jaws which areclosed upon the box on the holder for removing the box therefrom andopened for discharging the box, substantially as set forth.

24. i The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holderupon which the box is carried, of a reciprocating ejector movable towardand from said holderand'having gripping-jaws which are closed upon thebox on the holder for removing the box therefrom and opened fordischarging the box, and an ejector-finger whereby the box is removedfrom thejaws when the latter are opened,sub'- stantially as set forth.

25. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder uponwhich the box is carried, of a reciprocating ejector-carriage movabletoward and from said holder,

gripping jaws attached to said carriage, a cam-plate by which said jawsare opened and closed, and stops whereby the movement of said cam-plateis arrested for efiecting the opening and closing of the jaws,substantially as set forth.

26. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder uponwhich the box is carried, of a reciprocating ejector-carriage movabletoward and from the holder and having gripping-jaws which are closedupon the box on the holder for removing the same therefrom and openedfor discharging the box, an ejector-finger arranged between thegripping-jaws, a spring whereby the ejectorfinger is yieldingly held outof'the path of the box, and an incline arranged on the ejectorcarriageadapted to engage with an incline on the ejector-finger for moving thelatter across the path of the gripping-jaws and discharging the boxtherefrom, substantially as set forth.

27. The combination with the feed mechanv ism provided with a holderupon which the 4 ing the movement thereof and effecting the opening andclosing of said jaws, substantially as set forth.

ism provided with a holder upon which the box is carried,'areciprocating ejector-carriage movable toward and from said holder, acam-plate-moving with said carriage and capable oflimited movement withreference thereto, gripping-jaws attached to. said carriage and moved bysaid cam-plate, and a removable stop which can be placed in the path ofthe said cam-plate for arresting its movement while the carriage moveson or can be removed for allowing said cam-plate to move with saidcarriage, substantially as set forth.

29. The combination with the feed mechanism provided with a holder uponwhich the boxis carried, of a reciprocating ejector-carriage movabletowardand from said holder, arms pivoted to said holder and havinggripping-jaws which are closed upon the box on the holder, said jawsbeing provided with hollow 'four-si'ded gripping-faces havingtoothededges, and means whereby said jaws are opened and closed, substantiallyas set forth.

30. The combination with the stationary frame and the traveling carrierprovided with a holder for carrying the box or blank, of a stationaryfolding mechanism mounted on said frame and comprising two side-folderswhereby the side flaps are folded down upon the holder, and a folderwhereby one of the end flaps is folded down, and a traveling folderwhereby the final flap is folded down and which is, arranged oppositethe holder on t. the traveling carrier, substantially as set forth. 1

31. The combination with the stationary frame and the traveling carrierprovided with a plurality of holders for carrying'theboxes or blanks,-of a stationary folding mechanism which is mounted on the stationaryframe and which acts upon the flaps, excepting the final flap, of eachbox or blank as it ispre sented to the stationary folding mechanism,

and a traveling folder which is arranged opposite each holder on thetraveling carrier and which folds the final flap and holds the same downwhile the box or blank is carried on the carrier, substantially as setforth.

- The combination with the stationary frame and the traveling carrierprovided with a plurality of holders for carrying the boxes or blanks,of a stationary folding mechanism mounted on said frame and comprisingfingers for folding the side ,flaps down, and a sliding folder forfolding 'the rear flap upon t the side flaps, and traveling finalfolders mov- 28. The combination with the feed mechaning with saidcarrier and pivoted at their lower ends opposite said holders to swingtoward and from the same, substantially as set forth.

33. A box-folding machine embracing a traveling carrier, and means forfolding the last flap of the box and retaining-it in position comprisinga form or block mounted on said carrier, a pivoted retaining plate orarm and means engaging said platein a manner to hold the same either inits raised or lowered position, substantially as set forth.

34. A box-folding machine embracing a traveling carrier, a form or blockmounted on said carrier, a pivoted flap-holding plate or arm, means forautomatically raising said plate from or lowering it'upon the form andmeans actingto hold said plate either in its raised or lowered position,substantially as set forth. V

35. A box-folding machine comprising a main frame provided in itsopposite ends with rotative pulleys, a carrier trained over said pulleysand adapted to travel in Ways mounted in said frame between the pulleys,a boxblank form mounted on said carrier, means for simultaneouslyfolding the flaps connected with two opposite sidewalls together andupon the form, means for folding one of the intermediate flaps upon saidfirst-mentioned flaps, and means for folding a fourth intermediate flapupon the form, to the under side of which 'paste has been applied andfor holding said set, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 9th day of November, 1898. r 1

CHARLES HFBROOKS.

Witnesses:

M. D. CLARK,

- HOWARD U. LYON.

